This spur of the moment gratin turned out much better than I thought it would. In fact, in was delicious!
I had a pound of mushrooms in the fridge that were starting to go feral and wanted something quick and easy to do with them. Bacon and spinach go with everything, so I made a saute and included the mushrooms.
After that I made a white sauce and stirred in some cheddar cheese. If you want to try this, do take your time with the white sauce or you might end up with that unforgettable, heave inducing, raw flour taste that I had the misfortune to experience at a restaurant in County Clare, Ireland.
Mushroom, Bacon and Spinach Gratin
1 tbsp butter
1/2 cup lardon
3 shallots, thinly sliced vertically
1 lb mushrooms, rinsed and quartered
3 cups baby spinach
Salt and pepper
3 tbsp butter
3 tbsp flour
2 1/2 cups milk
4 ounces cheddar cheese, grated
Bread crumbs
Melt the butter in a frying pan and saute the lardon until it begins to brown. Add the shallots and continue to saute until they are soft. Add the mushrooms and cook for about 3 minutes. Add the spinach and cook until wilted. Season with salt and pepper. With a slotted spoon, divide the mushroom mixture between 3-4 ramekins and set aside.
Make a white sauce with the butter, flour and milk, cooking until the sauce is thick and bubbly. Remove from the flame and stir in the cheese until smooth. Add a little salt and pepper to taste. Ladle some sauce into each ramekin, sprinkle with bread crumbs and bake in a 400 F oven for about 15 minutes until browned on top.
sounds wonderful…all of my favorite things..i to have some “must” use mushrooms in the fridge, i will have to give this a try..lovely post..sarah
Thank you Sarah.
Sometimes those last minute “frig” meals turn out the best. Looks yummy. I have some leftover fresh spinach that is going to find a use in this dish…
Spinach is always good!
Lovely – am just about to make some white sauce for a fish pie and I so agree with what you say about taking your time!
Thank you Chica. That fish pies sounds good!
Delicious – I think I’d want two of them 😉
I did too 😀
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Beautiful, Rosemary! As always 🙂 And I agree: you should always take your time with a béchamel.
Thank you Daisy. I’m amazed that I’ve only had the one bad experience but it was enough.
Another culinary triumph out of necessity. You do wonders with the stuff from the recesses of your fridge and freezer.
Thank you Conor.
That looks so delicious!
Thank you Tessa.
It looks great! Good tip about taking your time with the white sauce!
Thank you Bassa.
Some of the best meals come out of having to use up odds and sods. This looks delicious.
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